I sat across from my best friend, Helen, in the breakroom, my heart still fluttering from the excitement of the night before.

I could barely contain my excitement as I fiddled with my coffee cup, a huge smile already creeping across my face. Helen, always quick to pick up on my moods, noticed right away.

“So, you’re not going to believe what happened,” I said, leaning forward, barely able to hide the joy in my voice. Helen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. She took a slow sip of her coffee and set it down, her curiosity piqued.

“Okay, spill,” she said, her eyes locking onto mine, eager for whatever news I had to share.

“Caleb took me to my favorite restaurant last night,” I began, trying to sound calm, though my excitement was bubbling over.

“It was perfect—the candlelight, the wine, the music—everything. I mean, he really outdid himself.”

Helen’s eyes widened. “That sounds amazing! But I know there’s more, so keep going!” she urged, her excitement starting to match mine.

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice slightly as if sharing a big secret.

“After dinner, we took a walk on the beach. The moon was out, the waves were crashing, and it felt like something out of a movie. Then, out of nowhere, fireworks started lighting up the sky! And, Helen… they weren’t just any fireworks. They actually formed a heart. A heart! I couldn’t believe it!”

Helen’s mouth dropped open in awe.

“No way! That’s insane! Fireworks in the shape of a heart? That’s so romantic!”

I nodded eagerly, practically bouncing in my seat.

“It gets even better!” I continued, unable to hold back any longer.

“I turned around, and there he was, on one knee, holding out a ring! He asked me to marry him right there on the beach, under the fireworks!”

Helen gasped, clearly caught up in the magic of the moment.

“Oh my gosh, Bonny! That’s amazing! He proposed? Right there?”

With a huge grin, I raised my left hand, showing off the sparkling diamond ring that now sat proudly on my finger.

“Yep, he did,” I said, my voice softening as I looked at the ring. “It was perfect. I couldn’t have asked for a better proposal.”

Helen let out a squeal of excitement and jumped up from her chair to give me a tight hug.

“Bonny, I’m so happy for you!” she gushed. “This is incredible! You guys are perfect together!”

I hugged her back, feeling the warmth of her support wash over me.

“Thank you. I’m still in shock that it happened. Everything was just so… magical.”

We spent the next few minutes talking about the details of the night—the restaurant, the walk, the fireworks, and, of course, the proposal.

I couldn’t stop replaying the moment in my head. It felt like a dream come true.

For once, everything seemed to be falling perfectly into place, and I couldn’t help but feel like nothing could go wrong.

Later that day, after a long but satisfying day at work, I couldn’t stop thinking about the proposal.

My heart fluttered every time I looked down at the ring on my finger, a sparkling reminder that Caleb and I were about to start a new chapter together. I practically floated home, the excitement of planning our future buzzing in my head.

But as I turned the corner toward my apartment building, the sight of her standing outside snapped me back to reality. Jane, Caleb’s mother, was waiting for me.

My stomach twisted. From the moment Caleb and I started dating, she had made it abundantly clear that I wasn’t good enough for her son.

She thought I was beneath him—just a “secretary from a poor family” as she had once sneered.

I approached cautiously, unsure of what she wanted. Her presence outside my apartment didn’t bode well.

“Mrs. Hanson,” I greeted her politely, though my voice held a note of wariness. “What are you doing here?”

Her smile was tight, lacking any warmth. There was something cold and calculating behind her eyes.

“Caleb told me about the proposal,” she said, her tone dripping with condescension. “You must be very excited, Bonny.”

I stood a little straighter, refusing to let her intimidate me.

“Yes, I am,” I said, keeping my voice even, though the tension between us was palpable.

Jane sighed, shaking her head as if she were the only one who truly understood what was going on. “I’m here because I think Caleb is making a huge mistake,” she said bluntly. “He doesn’t realize it yet, but you are not the right woman for him. He deserves better.”

Her words hit me like a slap to the face, but I refused to let her see how much they hurt.

“I love Caleb, and he loves me,” I said firmly, meeting her gaze.

Jane’s lips curled into a sneer.

“Love?” she scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. “Love doesn’t pay the bills, Bonny. Let me make this simple for you. I’m offering you $10,000 to leave him. Take the money, disappear from his life, and never speak to him again. It’s better for everyone—especially for Caleb.”

For a moment, I was stunned into silence. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Did she really think I could be bought off so easily? That my love for Caleb was worth only a few thousand dollars? The shock quickly turned to anger, and I clenched my fists to steady myself.

“You think I can be bought?” I asked, my voice shaking with fury. “My love for Caleb isn’t something you can put a price on. I’m not interested in your money.”

Jane’s eyes narrowed, the condescending smile never leaving her face.

“This offer won’t be on the table forever, Bonny. Think about it—you’d be smart to take the money. Otherwise, you’ll leave with nothing when I end this wedding myself. One way or another, this wedding isn’t happening.”

My heart pounded with rage, but I didn’t give her the satisfaction of responding. Without another word, I turned and walked away, leaving Jane standing there with her cold threats hanging in the air.

I could feel my pulse thudding in my ears as I entered my apartment. I couldn’t believe she would stoop so low.

But no matter what Jane tried, I wasn’t going to let her tear Caleb and me apart.

The next morning, I woke up with a sense of unease, but I couldn’t immediately pinpoint why. It wasn’t until I moved my hand that the realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

My engagement ring was gone. My heart raced as I frantically searched the bed, running my hands through the sheets, hoping to feel the cold metal against my skin.

I checked the nightstand, the floor, anywhere it might have slipped off in the night. Nothing.

Panic gripped me as a million thoughts swirled in my head. Had I lost it somewhere? Did it fall off while I was out?

My breath quickened, and just as I was about to tear apart the entire room, my phone rang, startling me.

I saw Caleb’s name flash on the screen, and for a moment, I felt a sense of relief. I could tell him about the missing ring, and maybe he could help me figure out where I lost it.

“Hey, Caleb,”

“Bonny, we need to talk,” he interrupted, his tone cold and distant. It sent a shiver down my spine.

“Sure, what’s going on?” I asked, my stomach twisting into knots.

“Meet me at the café. I’ll explain everything,” he replied shortly before hanging up.

I stood frozen for a moment, the unease from earlier now turning into full-blown dread. Something was wrong. Very wrong. I rushed to get dressed and hurried to the café, my heart heavy with the growing fear that something terrible was about to happen.

When I arrived, Caleb was already sitting at a corner table, his posture stiff, his gaze fixed on the floor. I approached slowly, feeling the tension in the air, but he didn’t look up as I sat down.

“Caleb, what’s going on?” I asked softly, trying to bridge the strange distance between us.

He finally looked up, his eyes cold and unfamiliar. “I can’t marry you, Bonny,” he said bluntly, his voice devoid of emotion.

The words hit me like a slap in the face.

“What? Why?” I reached for his hand, but he quickly pulled away, making my heart ache even more.

“Where’s your ring?” he demanded, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Tears welled up in my eyes, my heart breaking.

“I don’t know. It slipped, it must be somewhere home…”

But he wasn’t hearing any of it. Caleb stood abruptly, his face hard and unyielding.

“It’s over, Bonny. I never want to see you again.”

And with those final words, he turned and walked out of the café, leaving me sitting there, tears streaming down my face as I struggled to comprehend what had just happened. My world had crumbled in an instant.

I returned home shattered, heartbroken. But as I entered the apartment, I saw a small package near the door. Inside was $10,000 in cash and a note that read, “You did good.”

Rage boiled up inside me. Jane. She had stolen my ring and poisoned Caleb’s mind against me. Without thinking, I grabbed my coat, the money, and stormed out the door, heading straight to Caleb’s parents’ house.

I burst through the door just as they were sitting down for dinner. Everyone froze, stunned to see me.

“Jane!” I threw the money on the table. “Tell them the truth! You stole my ring and lied to Caleb!”

Caleb stood up, confused. “What is she talking about?”

Jane’s face turned pale, but before she could speak, I continued. “She offered me $10,000 to leave you, Caleb. I refused. She took my ring and told you I took the money.”

Caleb looked between me and his mother, realization dawning.

“Mom, is this true?”

“I don’t know what she’s talking about.”

“Then what is this?” Bonny held her phone and played the recording of their conversation that night. Caleb hears the part where she refuses the proposal and Jane intimidates her.

Jane stammered, but Caleb turned to me, guilt and sorrow in his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Bonny. I can’t believe I doubted you.”

Tears filled my eyes as Caleb rushed over and pulled me into his arms. “I love you, and I’m so sorry I let this happen. Please, forgive me.”

I nodded, tears streaming down my face. “I forgive you, Caleb.”

He looked into my eyes and said, “Will you still be my wife?”

And without hesitation, I whispered, “Yes.”

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